Lesser Snow Goose (and Ross' Goose)

Fact Sheet

Scientific Name

Chen caerulescens (Ross' Goose - Chen rossii)

Wing spread

58 inches

Body length

29 inches

Weight

6 pounds

Description

Snow geese occur in two color phases, white and blue, and both sexes are identical within each phase. In the white phase, geese are all white with black wing tips. Blue geese are blue-gray with a white head. Ross’s geese are virtually identical to white phase snow geese. Ross’s geese are a distinct species that weigh 3-4 pounds and have smaller, stubbier bills.

Nesting Habitat

Snow geese occur in two color phases, white and blue, and both sexes are identical within each phase. In the white phase, geese are all white with black wing tips. Blue geese are blue-gray with a white head. Ross’s geese are virtually identical to white phase snow geese. Ross’s geese are a distinct species that weigh 3-4 pounds and have smaller, stubbier bills.

Clutch size

4 eggs

Incubation period

23 days

Status in North Dakota

Snow geese are abundant during migration seasons, but do not nest in North Dakota.

Food habits

Snow geese graze heavily on foliage and tubers on tundra breeding grounds. During migration and on wintering grounds they feed heavily on agricultural crops.

Fun Facts

Agricultural crops, particularly rice on wintering grounds, provide an abundant food source. This has allowed the snow goose population to rapidly expand. As a result, an overabundance of snow geese has led to the destruction of much of the vegetation on breeding grounds.